New technology will aid tumor treatment.

When looking into the future of cancer treatment, expect a lot of "search and destroy" technology, suggests C. Robert Bogardus, director of radiation oncology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. On the horizon are:

* Radiation-tagged monoclonal antibodies. Radiation oncologists will tag specific antibodies with high levels of radioactive materials. The antibodies will go directly to the cancer and kill it. This already is being tested on presently incurable melanomas (dark-pigmented skin cancers) and sarcomas (cancers of fleshy tissues). "In 10 years, we'll biopsy a tumor, grow it in a culture, and discover what kind of antibodies will find it," Bogardus predicts.

* Chemically selective scanning with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spectroscopy. This will locate tumors by looking at how cancers metabolize certain chemicals. "For instance, maybe we discover that a particular cancer metabolizes more copper than other tissues. The MRI finds where the copper is going, and thus finds the tumor."

* Physicians will have greater knowledge of how tumors develop, especially in the precancerous stages. "This will result in earlier detection and treatment and allow us to preserve more organs than we can today," indicates James Cox, professor of radiotherapy, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

* Genetics will aid in preventing cancer. "We'll learn how to prevent certain types of cancer by seeing what happens at the genetic level," Cox predicts. "We'll be able to correct some genetic problems. Radiologic imaging will help by directing scientists where to look."

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